EDITION 2 - "THANK YOU COACH"

December 2007

There are many thoughts and feelings that have come to me regarding what I should include in this Team Message (Newsletter). Being part of a Purpose Driven Company provides an environment for gaining a better appreciation and understanding of those we help and serve. Throughout our National Home section of our website, we share how we can make a difference in the lives of many. We also talk about the important roles played by many in providing a sports experience for our Youth. Today – in this message – I would like to talk about Coaches – and Coaching – and how they make a difference.

First - I must share something. My message today was influenced by a movie I recently watched called Facing the Giants. The movie is a heart-warming, inspirational story about a Coach working through adversity and his faith to help his players achieve and be better men. He taught all of his players that anything was possible, and made them all promise that they would never allow anyone to tell them what was not possible. How many of you have had your life made better (and perhaps changed) by hearing those words from a Coach?

There are millions of coaches around our country, each providing leadership, teaching, mentoring, guidance, support and, in some cases, are opening their homes and lives to young men and young women. Lessons taught by sports and its coaches last a player’s lifetime, and often turn today’s young men and women into the leaders of tomorrow.

It has always amazed me how transparent the lives are of coaches. What other profession has every media predicting the “success” (a win) or “failure” (a loss) of the leaders of their profession? What other profession has the media asking for the outcome of the leaders’ efforts, and then publishes the wins or losses for others to see? A coach is willing to lay it all out there for everyone to see. A coach is willing to let others be recognized over themselves in times of victory; and places himself in front of his or her team in times of defeat. A Coach’s office is often his bedroom, kitchen, family room or next to a row of lockers in a High School hallway. Often lost in this ongoing “scoreboard” of life is what a coach does behind the scenes and why a coach “coaches” in the first place.

What Coach has not been part of maintaining and cutting football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey fields; spending late winter and early spring weekends preparing baseball and softball fields after removing a foot of snow. How many moms and dads, year after year, coach a sport they never played so that they can be part of that phase of their child’s life? Many Coaches end their work day by starting their coaching day on the field of practice. How many Coaches arrive at practice or enter a locker room before the start of a game, having just left a painful, difficult situation at home – and gather themselves so that they can lead others to victory?

There have been many great coaches in my lifetime, and new leaders in this profession emerge every year. My High School coaches helped shape much of what I believe in today. And I know from experience that millions of men and women feel the same about their coaches. Without making this message too personal, I will share that I had the privilege of coaching boys, girls, young men and young women – from age 6 to age 22. And most of them, regardless of age, gender or sport, responded positively to purpose driven leadership. Coaches are collectively one of the more inspirational men and women in the world. In many cases, they serve as teachers, one of the more honorable and purpose driven professions on this planet. One Coach I followed closely, until his passing in 1970; and whose words I read to his day, was Vince Lombardi. Now I know he was a football coach; and, I know many of his quotes are about football and reference “men” instead of men and “women”; but do not let that fool you. His words and beliefs apply to everyone – man and woman – young and old – regardless of chosen role or career. One of my favorite Lombardi quotes is:

“I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.”

This quote applies to any endeavor we pursue. It just so happens in Coach Lombardi’s case, a great leader chose to pursue coaching; and, most importantly, uses his position to make a difference in the lives of many. What better leadership training experience than a halftime or timeout adjustment by a Coach? From post game talks with broken hearted kids with their heads down – to – celebrations with “class” by praising the opponent after a victory, Coaches are there to lead. For generations, coaches’ pass on lessons in life and words of wisdom; and their players sometimes go on to become coaches who do the same for their players. Coaches are remembered for their words when their players needed them the most.

Fortunately, there has been huge “change” in sports since Lombardi’s passing. Women now represent half of all those participating in sports. Consequently, sports has doubled the number of potential leaders available to make a difference in the lives of so many; and, Coach Lombardi’s words are now repeated by the very same women whose gender were left out of the quote in the first place.

A man or woman can be as great as he or she desires – leaving each of us to consider what endeavor we may pursue and seek greatness. Another great Lombardi quote said “If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.” I feel confident that Coach Lombardi intended these words to extend far beyond his team, organization, community, profession or the great state of Wisconsin. Words such as these are shared by Coaches to their players every day.

Many of the staff at DigitalSports refers to themselves and each other as “Coach”. Many prefer the title of “Coach” over a title of “Vice President”. To many, including myself, it is an honor to be called “Coach”. To this day, I call my mentor Jim Hindman - “Coach”. Given an opportunity to speak briefly at his birthday party last year, I called him a “Coach of Coaches”, as he had helped so many young men and women choose and pursue their passion and profession.

As we at DigitalSports work hard to achieve our Team goals, we must never lose sight of our purpose and mission. Included in our mission is our dedication to provide benefits and resources to those involved in making it possible for tens of millions of kids to play Youth and High School sports. This message just happens to focus on the Coaches of Youth and High School sports - one of the many purposed driven groups we seek to support. We have been blessed to have thousands of Coaches join us in our mission this year. We hope many of you will choose to be a Coach of others – in sports, work or life. In the end, when the scoreboard has been turned off, we will most be remembered for what we did to make a difference in others’ lives. And, we must remember to thank those who have made a difference in our lives by being our Coach.

To all of the Coaches out there – THANKS.

And to Everyone – Have a Blessed Holiday Season and a Purposeful New Year!

Ed Kelley

Head Coach,
DigitalSports
"It's About the Kids"

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